IU record in jeopardy

In the weekend that saw the movie "Miracle" open in theaters, it seemed fitting that Bracey Wright answered a couple of prayers when he extended Saturday's game into overtime not only once, but twice.\nIt was one of those moments (well, two of those moments) when victory seemed preordained. How could a team that fought back so valiantly possibly lose? But Iowa was the team with the final answer, with Jeff Horner's bank shot providing what could be the nail in this season's coffin.\nNow the Hoosiers will need their own miracle just to make it into the NCAA Tournament. Realistically, one regular season loss is all IU can afford if it is to continue its streak of consecutive tourney appearances that dates back to 1986. \nBoth A.J. Moye and Sean Kline called out their teammates in Sunday's Indianapolis Star, saying it was clear not all five guys on the floor are giving their best effort. If it was a lack of skill that was the problem for IU, it would be understandable, albeit still disappointing. But for players to be donning an Indiana jersey and not putting their all into it? That, if I may use some flair for the dramatic, is tragic.\nIU's streak of consecutive seasons receiving a tournament bid, which is second in the nation behind Arizona, is not the only record in jeopardy these days. Both Stanford and St. Joseph's have jumped out to 20-0 starts as each seeks to become the first undefeated team since the 1976 Hoosiers.\nFor now, Stanford seems to have grabbed the "team of destiny" mantle after beating Arizona on a 35-foot buzzer beater Saturday. But destiny has a funny way of doing absolutely nothing to get you a victory. Remember, this year the Packers were a media-ordained team of destiny until they lost to the Eagles in the NFL Playoffs, who were the real team of destiny -- until they lost the next week.\nThe Cardinals have a tough road ahead of them -- only two of their final seven games are at home. The first of those games is at Cal, and there is no doubt the Golden Bears will be ready to take on their chief rival.\nSt. Joseph's, on the other hand, is more of a surprise in the land of undefeateds. Coach Phil Martelli has led the small Philadelphia school to great success in recent years, but until this year's start, its most famed moment had been its victory over No. 1 DePaul in the first round of the 1981 NCAA Tournament.\nPlaying in the Atlantic 10 conference, it would seem the Hawks have a very good chance of ending the regular season undefeated, with their biggest test coming in their next game against Dayton. But can that success carry over onto the big stage of the NCAA Tournament?\nIt seems unlikely either team can win out. Upsets are ripe this time of year, from conference tournaments to the Big Dance itself. And as games like Northwestern's throttling of Wisconsin Saturday prove, anything can happen in college basketball.\nEven the last team to finish the regular season undefeated, the 1991 UNLV Runnin' Rebels, couldn't match the perfection of the '76 Hoosiers. And that UNLV team was beating opponents by an average of 25 points per game before losing to Duke in the National Semifinal.\nWith the parity in the NCAA today, it would take an unnaturally good team with quality senior players to match that record. The mid-70s Hoosiers won 37 straight Big Ten games. No one will ever do that again. And no one will ever finish a full season without a loss either.\nAt least one IU record is safe.